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Microsoft Azure Developer Associate Quick Facts
The Microsoft Azure Developer Associate certification is a wonderful opportunity to showcase your skills in creating modern cloud applications. This overview highlights everything you need to know to prepare with confidence and succeed in earning your AZ-204 credential.
How does the Microsoft Azure Developer Associate certification help your career?
The Microsoft Azure Developer Associate (exam AZ-204) demonstrates your ability to design, build, test, and maintain cloud applications on Microsoft Azure. It validates proficiency across compute, storage, security, integration, and monitoring capabilities, ensuring that you can build scalable applications that fully leverage Azure services. Whether you are a cloud developer, a DevOps professional, or a software engineer aspiring to modernize solutions, earning this certification signals your readiness to create impactful cloud-native applications that drive business innovation.
Exam Domains Covered (Click to expand breakdown)
Exam Domain Breakdown
Domain 1: Develop Azure compute solutions (29% of the exam)
Implement containerized solutions
- Create and manage container images for solutions
- Publish an image to Azure Container Registry
- Run containers by using Azure Container Instances
- Create solutions by using Azure Container Apps
Summary: This section focuses on containerized solutions and developing the expertise to work seamlessly with containers in Azure. By mastering the creation and management of container images, publishing them to the Azure Container Registry, and running them in Azure Container Instances, developers demonstrate their ability to build scalable and portable applications. The inclusion of Azure Container Apps highlights the importance of microservices architectures in modern application development.
In practice, you will learn how these solutions enhance agility, flexibility, and performance. Understanding containerized deployments equips you to deliver applications consistently across environments while enabling faster iteration and scale. This domain helps you link container capabilities to real business needs like simplified deployments, efficient resource use, and support for continuous delivery.
Implement Azure App Service Web Apps
- Create an Azure App Service Web App
- Configure and implement diagnostics and logging
- Deploy code and containerized solutions
- Configure settings including Transport Layer Security (TLS), API settings, and service connections
- Implement autoscaling
- Configure deployment slots
Summary: This section highlights Azure App Service Web Apps and how to deploy secure, reliable, and scalable web applications. Knowledge of deployment, diagnostics, TLS configuration, and scaling ensures applications deliver consistent performance. With deployment slots and autoscaling, you will gain an understanding of robust deployment strategies that support seamless updates and optimal resource use.
Practical mastery in this area builds confidence that your applications are always secure and available to global users. App Service Web Apps play a key role in modern cloud-native development, offering tools to automate, monitor, and scale environments effortlessly, which aligns perfectly with both developer efficiency and end-user satisfaction.
Implement Azure Functions
- Create and configure an Azure Functions app
- Implement input and output bindings
- Implement function triggers by using data operations, timers, and webhooks
Summary: This section focuses on the use of Azure Functions to develop serverless solutions. You will build skills in configuring function apps, leveraging bindings, and crafting responsive triggers for various scenarios, including data operations and scheduled events. These functions allow developers to build scalable and event-driven architectures without managing server infrastructure.
By learning to connect inputs and outputs across services while minimizing overhead, you gain the ability to design cost-efficient and agile applications. This focus supports scenarios ranging from automating workflows to integrating with APIs and systems, empowering teams to deliver solutions that run efficiently in a truly serverless model.
Domain 2: Develop for Azure storage (19% of the exam)
Develop solutions that use Azure Cosmos DB
- Perform operations on containers and items by using the SDK
- Set the appropriate consistency level for operations
- Implement change feed notifications
Summary: This section establishes a foundation in working with Azure Cosmos DB, a flexible and globally distributed database. Mastery of SDK operations, containers, items, and consistency models allows developers to design performant and reliable applications. Implementing the change feed expands capabilities by enabling real-time event processing for applications that require responsive data handling.
By learning to build with Cosmos DB, you align your solutions with use cases that benefit from near-infinite scalability, low latency, and global distribution. This knowledge ensures you can design applications that scale alongside business requirements, offering speed, consistency, and adaptability across regions.
Develop solutions that use Azure Blob Storage
- Set and retrieve properties and metadata
- Perform operations on data by using the appropriate SDK
- Implement storage policies and data lifecycle management
Summary: This section centers on using Azure Blob Storage for unstructured data management. Developers gain skills in setting metadata, manipulating blobs using SDKs, and applying lifecycle policies to optimize storage costs and control performance. Blob storage is essential for applications that handle large datasets such as images, backups, or logs.
The focus goes beyond operations to ensuring data is utilized efficiently and securely over time. Mastering policies and automation within Blob Storage strengthens your ability to balance performance, compliance, and cost-effectiveness, making your solutions more valuable and practical in real-world scenarios.
Domain 3: Implement Azure security (19% of the exam)
Implement user authentication and authorization
- Authenticate and authorize users by using the Microsoft Identity platform
- Authenticate and authorize users and apps by using Microsoft Entra ID
- Create and implement shared access signatures
- Implement solutions that interact with Microsoft Graph
Summary: This section emphasizes secure access control through identity management. By leveraging Microsoft Identity platform, Entra ID, and access signatures, developers ensure both applications and users can securely interact with resources. Integrating Microsoft Graph extends these capabilities, allowing applications to work deeply with organizational data and services.
Acquiring these skills enables you to design solutions that are safe, compliant, and trusted by users. Proficiency in authentication and authorization also helps satisfy enterprise-level requirements for governance while simplifying secure connectivity across multiple services.
Implement secure Azure solutions
- Secure app configuration data by using Azure App Configuration or Azure Key Vault
- Develop code that uses keys, secrets, and certificates stored in Azure Key Vault
- Implement Managed Identities for Azure resources
Summary: This section focuses on protecting sensitive application configurations and credentials. Skills in Azure Key Vault and App Configuration ensure developers keep credentials safe and centralized. Using managed identities builds stronger security by automatically handling access without explicit credential management.
These practices empower developers to create solutions that remain secure at scale while reducing administrative overhead. A strong foundation in application security ensures your solutions are resilient, compliant, and aligned with cloud security best practices, which builds trust and enhances business value.
Domain 4: Monitor, troubleshoot, and optimize Azure solutions (9% of the exam)
Monitor and troubleshoot solutions by using Application Insights
- Monitor and analyze metrics, logs, and traces
- Implement Application Insights web tests and alerts
- Instrument an app or service to use Application Insights
Summary: This section highlights the importance of proactive monitoring with Application Insights. By capturing and analyzing data through metrics, logs, and traces, developers gain deep visibility into application performance and user experience. Implementing web tests and alerts fosters early problem detection and resolution.
Building these skills ensures you can monitor at scale, preparing applications to meet both technical and business requirements reliably. Effective monitoring is not just about avoiding downtime; it is about gaining insights that improve performance, optimize resources, and enhance user satisfaction.
Domain 5: Connect to and consume Azure services and third-party services (24% of the exam)
Implement Azure API Management
- Create an Azure API Management instance
- Create and document APIs
- Configure access to APIs
- Implement policies for APIs
Summary: This section focuses on building and managing APIs with Azure API Management. Skills include setting up instances, configuring access, creating policies, and ensuring APIs are well-documented. These capabilities strengthen the ability to build consistent, governed, and scalable integrations across applications and services.
By mastering API management, developers can deliver secure, high-performing APIs that meet enterprise standards. These principles make it possible to connect consumers, applications, and partners with streamlined, modern APIs that enable digital transformation.
Develop event-based solutions
- Implement solutions that use Azure Event Grid
- Implement solutions that use Azure Event Hubs
Summary: This section introduces Azure’s event-driven services, Event Grid and Event Hubs, for real-time data processing and event routing. By mastering these tools, developers can build highly responsive, scalable architectures that process streams of data and trigger actions automatically.
Developing these skills equips you with the knowledge to design event-driven models that power real-time analytics, IoT scenarios, and automated workflows. Embracing event-based approaches allows applications to react instantly, creating dynamic systems that adapt gracefully to changes.
Develop message-based solutions
- Implement solutions that use Azure Service Bus
- Implement solutions that use Azure Queue Storage queues
Summary: This section emphasizes designing reliable, decoupled messaging systems in Azure. Working with Azure Service Bus and Queue Storage ensures durable, scalable, and orderly communication between services. These queues support secure and asynchronous message transfer that increases application resilience.
Learning these patterns builds your capacity to create systems that scale effortlessly and handle complex workflows reliably. Messaging solutions empower your applications to operate smoothly across distributed environments, unlocking opportunities for robust system integration.
Who should earn the Microsoft Azure Developer Associate certification?
The Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate credential is designed for developers who want to take their cloud skills to the next level. This certification is for professionals who create, test, deploy, and maintain cloud applications and services on Microsoft Azure. If you already have programming experience and want to showcase your ability to build end-to-end cloud solutions, this certification is an excellent choice.
It’s perfect for software engineers, backend developers, full-stack developers, and anyone working with APIs, containers, serverless computing, and Azure SDKs. It is also a valuable certification for professionals collaborating closely with DevOps teams, architects, or administrators to deliver scalable and secure cloud solutions.
What types of jobs can I qualify for with the Azure Developer Associate certification?
Earning this certification prepares you for a wide variety of technical roles in cloud development. Some of the most common positions include:
- Azure Cloud Developer
- Full-Stack Developer with Azure specialization
- Cloud Application Engineer
- Azure Integration Developer
- Backend Developer using Azure services
This certification also strengthens your candidacy for advanced positions such as Azure Solutions Architect or DevOps Engineer once you gain more Azure certifications. Organizations highly value Azure developers who can design solutions with performance, security, and scalability in mind.
Which exam code should I take for the Microsoft Azure Developer Associate certification?
The exam you need to pass is AZ-204: Developing Solutions for Microsoft Azure. This is the official exam code that validates the skills required for the credential. AZ-204 focuses on developing apps, managing APIs, building serverless solutions, and optimizing Azure resources.
Since Microsoft periodically updates the exam to reflect new Azure services and best practices, be sure you are preparing specifically for the current Exam AZ-204 version of the test.
How much does the Microsoft AZ-204 exam cost?
The cost of the AZ-204 certification exam is $165 USD. This fee may vary slightly depending on the country or region in which you schedule your exam. Consider checking for regional pricing when registering.
This fee gives you access to a proctored, official certification attempt. Many professionals see it as a career investment that pays off by opening doors to higher-paying cloud development roles and advancing technical expertise.
How many questions will be on the Microsoft Azure Developer Associate exam?
The exam includes approximately 60 questions that test a wide range of Azure development skills. These questions come in multiple-choice, multi-select, and case study formats to evaluate both technical knowledge and practical application.
Every candidate has their own mix of questions, and some are experimental items that are not scored. However, you won’t be able to tell which questions are scored and which are not, so it’s important to treat them all with equal focus and effort.
What is the time limit for AZ-204?
You’ll have 100 minutes to complete the AZ-204 exam. Time goes by quickly, so pacing yourself is important. Microsoft structures the exam into different question types, including scenario-based questions that require reading and analyzing longer problem statements.
A good strategy is to answer the questions you’re confident in first, then return to the more challenging case scenarios with the remaining time.
What is the passing score for Microsoft Exam AZ-204?
The passing mark for AZ-204 is a scaled score of 700 out of 1000. Microsoft uses this scaled scoring system to ensure fairness across different test forms. Importantly, you do not need to pass each domain individually. Instead, your cumulative performance across all domains determines if you pass.
This compensatory scoring model means you can perform a little weaker in one skill area if you offset it with stronger performance in others.
In which languages is the AZ-204 exam available?
The Microsoft Azure Developer Associate exam is accessible to a global audience. It is currently available in English, Japanese, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Korean, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese (Brazil), and Italian.
If English is not your native language and the exam is not offered in your preferred language, Microsoft allows you to request additional time to complete the test.
How long is the Microsoft Azure Developer Associate certification valid?
Microsoft certifications are designed to reflect current cloud technology standards. The AZ-204 credential is valid for 12 months. To maintain it, you’ll need to complete a free online renewal assessment through Microsoft Learn before your certification expires.
This ensures your certification stays up-to-date and demonstrates to employers that your skills match the newest Azure technologies.
What skills will I learn and demonstrate through this certification?
By passing the exam, you will prove your expertise in a well-rounded set of cloud development skills. These include:
- Building and deploying containerized applications
- Creating web apps and APIs with Azure App Service
- Developing serverless solutions with Azure Functions
- Implementing user authentication and authorization
- Securing secrets with Azure Key Vault
- Troubleshooting, monitoring, and performance tuning using Application Insights
- Connecting events, messages, and third-party services to Azure solutions
These abilities showcase your ability to contribute to the full application lifecycle in an Azure environment.
What domains are covered in Exam AZ-204 and how are they weighted?
The exam blueprint is divided into five essential domains, each focusing on specific areas of Azure development. The weightings are as follows:
-
Develop Azure compute solutions (25–30%)
- Containerized solutions
- App Service web apps
- Azure Functions
-
Develop for Azure storage (15–20%)
- Cosmos DB development
- Blob storage operations
-
Implement Azure security (15–20%)
- Authentication and authorization
- Secure storage with Key Vault
-
Monitor, troubleshoot, and optimize Azure solutions (5–10%)
- Application Insights monitoring
- Alerts and instrumentation
-
Connect to and consume Azure services and third-party services (20–25%)
- API Management
- Event-driven solutions (Event Grid, Event Hubs)
- Message-based solutions (Service Bus, Queue Storage)
This balance ensures that you are tested across compute, storage, security, monitoring, and integration capabilities.
What are the prerequisites for taking the AZ-204 exam?
There are no mandatory prerequisites to sit for the exam. However, Microsoft strongly recommends that candidates have:
- At least two years of professional development experience
- Knowledge of Azure CLI and Azure PowerShell
- Experience programming with Azure SDKs
If you are already comfortable writing code, building APIs, and working with cloud concepts, you are in a great position to prepare for AZ-204.
How difficult is the Microsoft Azure Developer Associate exam?
The exam is designed for developers who want to validate their applied Azure development knowledge. While it is an intermediate-level certification, candidates who actively use Azure services in real projects often find it aligns closely with their day-to-day responsibilities.
As long as you study the exam domains thoroughly and get hands-on practice with Azure, the exam becomes a natural extension of your professional skill set.
What is the best way to prepare for Microsoft Exam AZ-204?
A balanced learning approach works best. Microsoft provides official self-paced learning paths and instructor-led courses, which guide you through real Azure solutions. In addition, you should complement your learning with practical labs inside the Azure Portal to reinforce your skills.
To test your readiness and simulate exam conditions, it is highly recommended that you practice with top-quality Azure Developer Associate practice exams that mirror the style and content of the actual exam. These practice tests help you identify strengths and fill gaps before exam day.
Can I retake AZ-204 if I do not pass on the first attempt?
Yes. Microsoft allows you to retake exams with a straightforward policy. If you do not pass your first attempt, you can retake it after 24 hours. If multiple retakes are needed, the wait time increases slightly.
Retakes can give you the chance to further strengthen your skills while gaining familiarity with the testing style.
Where can I schedule my AZ-204 exam?
You can schedule your AZ-204 exam through Pearson VUE, Microsoft’s official partner for proctored tests. You can choose to take the exam in a secure testing center, or from the comfort of your home or office with online proctoring.
For online exams, ensure you have a reliable internet connection, a quiet private space, and a webcam ready to meet Microsoft’s requirements.
What topics should I concentrate on most while studying?
While it’s important to study broadly across all domains, candidates often find that containerized solutions, authentication and authorization with Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD), and integrating event-driven services represent critical areas for success.
Putting extra time into understanding Cosmos DB consistency models, setting storage lifecycle policies, and deploying APIs with API Management will ensure you are prepared for the breadth of questions.
How recognized is the Microsoft Azure Developer Associate certification?
This certification is widely respected in the job market. Azure is one of the top cloud platforms globally, and companies consistently seek professionals who can confidently deliver solutions with Azure services.
Adding this credential to your resume demonstrates to employers that you are capable of building scalable, secure, modern cloud applications. It is also a strong stepping stone toward advanced Microsoft certifications that further validate your cloud expertise.
How do I renew the Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate certification?
Since the certification is valid for just 12 months, you will need to complete an online free renewal assessment through Microsoft Learn. This ensures your skills reflect the evolving nature of Azure.
Renewals are open six months before your certification expiration, giving you plenty of time to stay current and stress-free in maintaining your credential.
What certification path should I take after AZ-204?
Once you pass AZ-204, you can explore higher-level certifications that align with your career goals. Many professionals go on to earn:
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert
- Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer Expert
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer Associate
Each of these paths builds on your development foundation and opens even more career opportunities in specialized or leadership roles.
Where can I learn more about the official Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate exam?
To find the most up-to-date details directly from Microsoft, visit the official Azure Developer Associate certification page. There you will find updated exam skills, policies, and helpful links to structured training offered by Microsoft Learn.
The Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate certification is an inspiring milestone for developers aiming to deepen their cloud expertise. By preparing strategically, practicing effectively, and engaging with Azure hands-on, you’ll be on the path to success in developing powerful and scalable cloud applications.
